Tallow market in the United Kingdom

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the UK tallow market volume grew consistently from 141.2 thousand tons to 178.5 thousand tons, before contracting to 164.9 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was supported by relatively stable domestic production, which remained around 180-190 thousand tons annually, while imports declined sharply from 43.8 thousand tons in 2019 to just 8.3 thousand tons in 2023. The reduction in imports coincided with a steady drop in exports, which fell from 78.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 25.0 thousand tons in 2023, making more tallow available for domestic consumption.

Trade flows continued to adjust in 2024, with imports edging up to 9.7 thousand tons and exports falling further to 15.1 thousand tons. The most notable shift occurred in 2025, when exports surged to 54.6 thousand tons against imports of 10.3 thousand tons. This jump in outbound shipments aligns with increased investment by the UK government and energy companies in tallow-based biodiesel to meet renewable energy targets, as well as growing global demand for tallow as a biofuel feedstock. At the same time, consumer preference for natural, sustainable ingredients in personal care and traditional soap making helped sustain domestic demand.

Overall, the UK tallow market demonstrated resilience through the period, with its size peaking in 2022. The sharp rise in exports in 2025 reflects the material's growing role in the bioenergy sector and the international pull for renewable resources, while domestic applications in food and cosmetics provided a stable base of consumption.

Production tallow in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom held the 7th position globally in tallow production.

Top producers of tallow, 2018-2021

World map of production of tallow, 2018-2021

Following two years of growth, the United Kingdom's tallow production volume decreased. In 2021, the UK produced 183.4 K t of tallow, marking a 2.4% decline from 2020. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 187.9 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports tallow from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, t

Tallow exports from the United Kingdom fell for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 35 940 t, a 44.7% drop compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports declined by 54.2%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 22.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Ireland were the primary destinations for the UK's tallow exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 48.1% of exports, Belgium for 24.7%, and Ireland for 12.4%, together making up 85.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the value of tallow exports from the United Kingdom was 41 248 K $ US, showing a significant decrease of 24.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, export value fell by 25.1%, with an annualized decline of 9.2%. The largest increase in export value was recorded in 2020 at 9.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018–2021, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Ireland were the main markets for the UK's tallow exports in value terms. The Netherlands represented 45.2% of export value, Belgium 22.9%, and Ireland 18.4%, collectively accounting for 86.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Imports tallow to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, t

Tallow imports into the United Kingdom dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the UK imported 17 673 t of tallow, a sharp decline of 45.5% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 53.9%, with an annualized rate of 22.8%. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 43 778 t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Ireland was the dominant source for the UK's tallow imports in volume terms, consistently representing 90.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Tallow import values into the United Kingdom fell for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 10 241 K $ US, a substantial decrease of 42.4% from the previous year. Over the 2018–2021 period, import value declined by 55.9%, with an annualized drop of 23.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Ireland was the leading market for the UK's tallow imports in value terms, accounting for 85.1% of total flows, while other countries made up the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021